Carlisle Sustainable Food Cities Award

The Sustainable Food Cities Award is designed to recognise and celebrate the
success of those places taking a joined up, holistic approach to food and that are
achieving significant positive change on a range of key food health and sustainability issues.

The Award is open to any place – be it a city, town, borough, county or district – which:

has an established cross-sector food partnership in place;

is a member of the Sustainable Food Cities Network; and

is implementing an action plan on healthy and sustainable food.There are three tiers to the award – bronze, silver and gold – each requiring an increasing level of achievement in terms of action and outcomes. Details on how to apply for the bronze and silver awards are presented below. The gold award will be launched in 2015. Applications will be reviewed on a six monthly basis by a national panel of experts. Places achieving an award will be able to use an award badge in their communications and marketing materials.

For each level of the award, a place must meet a number of minimum requirements relating to their: 1) food partnership, 2) action plan and 3) the extent to which healthy and sustainable food is embedded in local policy.

As well as meeting these minimum requirements, applicants will have to provide evidence of action and outcomes across six key food issues:

BRONZE AWARD – for bronze you must meet the relevant minimum requirements and achieve three points for action/outcomes under each of the six key food issues.

SILVER AWARD – for silver you must meet the relevant minimum requirements and achieve six points for action/outcomes under each of the six key food issues.

The awards aim to recognise both the totality of food-related activity and continuous improvement year on year. So while a bronze award may be given based entirely on evidence of food related activity and achievements to date, silver and gold awards will only be given where there is clear evidence that such activity and achievements are building year on year.

1

We recognise that circumstances, challenges and opportunities differ between places and want to celebrate innovation, so under each of the six issues you can score one of your three bronze points or two or your six silver points for actions that are not listed in the tables but that you believe are contributing to tackling that issue.

To score a point, your action must be deemed ‘significant’ by the selection panel. So, for example, if you want to score a point for ‘The public have a wide range of free opportunities to see, taste and learn about healthy and sustainable food – e.g. through demonstration, sharing and celebration events such as foodfestivals and town meals’, you will need to show that you are doing a number of these things, not just one or two. There may also be a number of actions which contribute to tackling more than one issue. Where this is the case, you will only be able to cite this action under more than issue if you can show that it is being done to a sufficiently significant degree to warrant the additional points.

To help places navigate the award process and to provide guidance on the relative significance of various actions, applications will be facilitated by a member of the Sustainable Food Cities Team. This will involve an initial discussion, reviewing a draft application, providing feedback on areas of weakness, attending a meeting of the local food partnership (at silver) and, should a final application go to the expert panel, acting as the advocate for that application. The selection panel’s decision is final, but feedback will begiven on both successful and failed applications.

A charge of £250 (this will be reviewed in 2016) will be made for each level of the award to cover the cost of the application process, including support from the Sustainable Food Cities Team. You do not have to achieve the bronze award before applying for the silver, but if you do apply direct for silver this will cost £500 to cover the additional facilitation work involved. Failed applicants will need to pay the relevant charge again for any future re-application.

To make the process as transparent as possible, one condition of receiving the award is that all successful applicants agree to make their application accessible to other members of the Sustainable Food Cities Network through a link to their ‘shop window’ on the Sustainable Food Cities web site. We will also expect applicants to provide short case studies on selected areas of their work. We will help you to identify the most suitable case studies during the application process, based on particularly innovative and inspiring initiatives that other members of the Sustainable Food Cities Network can learn from.

Each award is given for a two year period. If the award holder has not made an application for a higher award by the end of that period, they will be expected to stop using the award and to stop referring to themselves as awards winners in all communications and promotional activity or to reapply for their existing level award.

If you would like further information on the award or to discuss a prospective application, please contact Tom Andrews: email tandrews@soilassociation.org or call 07717 802 188.

In order to understand our work, we have provided some context about the area to further show that a significant amount of progress has been made, despite challenging times and the size and scale of our city and resource available.

Carlisle; ‘The Great Border City’
Considered the urban capital of the County of Cumbria, in the North West of England, Carlisle is based in the district of Carlisle; covering 402 square miles. The district has an estimated population of 108, 409 (ONS, 2016; Cumbria Observatory, 2018) making the area predominantly rural in nature; though there is a gap between the visibility of farming and the makeup of the population.

3

History – Carlisle’s Story
Carlisle benefited from its strategic location; just 10 miles from the Scottish boarder, Newcastle 58 miles to the east, Glasgow 96 miles to the north, Lancaster 68 miles to the south and the Irish Sea to the west. All of this helped the city to build on its newly established economic importance, which in recent times has encouraged the development of food processing, engineering and logistics sectors.
Examples of long running traditions/events:

The Cumberland Show: combines tradition and agriculture with a fresh, modern focus to create a real celebration of farming, food and countryside. There are a range of livestock classes; heavy & light horses; poultry classes; and vintage vehicle classes. The Countryside Area displays rural crafts and skills; a Home Industries Marquee; Craft Marquee; Country Living Arcade; Food Hall; a wide range of Trade Stands; and a variety of entertainment around the Show field, which all make for a great family day out.

The Covered Market was built in 1889 and is one of the few covered Victorian markets remaining in the country. The market has was redeveloped in the 1990s and now houses a number of small retail units; including butchers, fresh fruit and veg, health food shops and restaurant/cafes.

Today the district hosts 2 farmers markets, run by Sustainable Brampton; Carlisle and Brampton Farmers’ Markets, held on the first (in Carlisle) and last (in Brampton) Saturday of the month. They are popular markets, offering quality local produce, a great atmosphere and social meeting place.Recent Challenges

Carlisle has and has faced a number of challenges in recent years and since the founding of Food Carlisle.

2005: The first of the 2 major floods to hit Carlisle. Terrible damage was caused to 1600 properties and led to the loss of 3 lives; withthousands more without power for several days.

2015: Carlisle faced the worst flooding in over 100 years. As a result of the effects of Storm Desmond, the flooding experienced in Carlisle onwas unprecedented. Approximately 2,100 properties were directly affected by the flooding; however, approximately further 1,450 properties were protected by the existing flood defences. Unfortunately, despite considerable resources being employed in the defence of Carlisle since the previous flood, the extraordinary amount of rainfall overwhelmed the measures in place. The effects of this event are still being recovered from now. Regrettably, many evaluations and evidence files for projects directly related to work that is listed in this award were also lost during this flooding.

2018: Emergency response was issued and coordinated for the district in response to Strom Emma and the worst snow forecast for 65 years.4

These events have had a significant impact on communities, food production, food growing, education & schools, heath, economy (all of our charter themes), as well as the staff involved in the Food Carlisle agenda. Farmers have lost livestock and battled through the severe conditions and in some cases are still recovering. However, as a resilient community we are re-focusing our work and efforts through our partnership working to support and revitalise our area. Our food partners have played a significant role in some of this work, despite the crisis fatigue and diversion of focus our communities and partners face.

Overview

The district is predominantly white British (95%) – however the remaining 5% is made up of a range of diverse nationalities.

62% of the population within the district live in Carlisle city.

An increasingly aging population with over 23.5% aged over 65; this is higher than the England and North West average and brings its ownchallenges – hence the importance of projects like Fair Meals Direct (Meals on Wheels Cumbria).

Carlisle faces a number of health issues: Examples include

Higher than average incidences of diabetes, significant oral health issues; especially in children – In 2014-15, 32% of five year olds had dentaldecay.

Excess weight amongst adults in Carlisle district was recorded as 68% and rising obesity levels of year 6 children (35.5% in 2015-16) wererecorded as overweight or obese due to poor diet.

Carlisle also has higher than average mortality rate from cardiovascular disease.

Levels of breastfeeding initiation are more than 10% lower in the Carlisle District than the England average; however the Carlisle and PenrithMaternity Services, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust have set out to tackle this by working towards achieving Baby Friendly accreditation. This accreditation is based on a set of interlinking evidence-based standards for maternity, health visiting, neonatal andchildren’s centres services – More information can be found in Key Issue 1: 1a – Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI)

The Food Carlisle journey began in late 2012, with a vibrant exploratory meeting with passionate key partners who recognised the changes, challenge and need for action based on the above. As a result, on Friday 8th March 2013, due to the appetite of the topic Carlisle Partnership, Carlisle College and Carlisle City Council held a Sustainable Food City conference engaging

– Secondary School 11–18years =1

= 1

Special Schools

6

more than 80 delegates to explore the ideas of developing Carlisle as a sustainable food city; from this our steering group was established. As a result of this event, our vision was set and charter developed (See Key Issue 1: 3a). In addition, our steering group was formed from a wide range of organisations and individuals. It was exceptional for the area in that the new focus on food brought people and organisations together who had not worked in partnership before. This included community groups, the local college, local authority, public health and private organisations. All network members have signed up to the Food Carlisle Charted, meet formally (quarterly) and take part in projects and task group meetings in-between. Carlisle was one of the 13 founding members of the Sustainable Food Cities (SFC) Network 2013. Being involved in steering and shaping this exciting work, locally and nationally to date.

Our Mission and Vision:

Food Carlisle’s mission is to co-ordinate and support the development of Carlisle as a Sustainable Food City, promoting and encouraging “good localfood for all” within the Carlisle District, addressing through food; health and wellbeing, local economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, resilient communities, and fairness throughout the food chain.

The group’s vision for Carlisle is that it will become the most sustainable ‘Food City’ in the Region and a beacon of good practice, nationally inspiring others; particularly smaller cities, towns, and counties, to learn from our work.

BRONZE

Achieved?

Partnership

Terms of reference for partnership in place with list of member names and organisations.

The Partnership:
Food Carlisle are a Partnership of over 20 different partners with representation from private industry (Pioneer to Wild & Fruitful), public sector (Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, University of Cumbria, Carlisle College) and the third sector (Brampton Food Network, Sustainable Carlisle); operating under the larger umbrella of the Carlisle Partnership. One of our strengths is the diverse range of partners we have involved. We believe in working with our food producers, suppliers, transporters and local food establishments to make Carlisle a recognised high quality food city.

We also regularly work with schools, other local Food businesses (Cranstons, Off the Wall, Bruce and Lukes), NFU, Cumbria Partnership NHS, Riverside Housing Association, Food Producers, Food Distributors, Food and Hospitality outlets, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Local farms, as examples within project work.

Partnership has met at least 4 times spanning the last 12 months and evidence that meetings are leading to implementation.

Partners meet quarterly; as well as events, projects and task group meetings: For Example, Local Food Show, Carlisle

8

Ambassadors, FareShare task group. This has led to action and implementation as evident in the projects featured on our website

Food Carlisle is a priority subgroup of the strategic Carlisle Partnership, which hosts an executive group of key stakeholders across the Carlisle District and a full forum of over 90 different partners; (Public, Private, Voluntary and Community). Food Carlisle insures that food at its broadest level is represented and links with this group allows this to happen.

Action plan outlining key objectives for at least one year ahead. It does not matter if the action plan is in draft form, but it should be available for interested parties to read and reflect the six key issues listed previously.

Our ending 3-year food action plan is available here – Our 2018 onwards Action Plan is in development and is being advanced based on the learning and gaps outlined from completing this award and the health check.

The Food Carlisle Action Plan is the product of a wide range of stakeholders brought together by a shared passion torejuvenate and grow Carlisle’s food culture. Key priorities and actions were identified via an exploratory event held at Carlisle College in 2013; engaging with over 80 partners, to consider the agenda, current activity, opportunities and gaps. Alongside this the Carlisle Food Charter was also agreed; which can be seen in KEY ISSUE 1: 3a.

Both the Charter and Action Plan mark the start of Carlisle’s journey towards its vision of becoming the most sustainable Food City in the Region. We believe in working with our food producers and distributors, and with all local food outlets, to make Carlisle a recognised, high quality Food City. We want to create a City where good food flourishes and where we work in partnership to empower change towards a vibrant and inclusive food culture. We want every setting – school, nursery, college, hospital, care home, cafe, restaurant and workplace – to serve healthy, sustainable, delicious food.

We are starting a local food revolution – Find out more about us here.

Yes/No

Policy

Evidence that healthy and sustainable food is ‘recognised/referred to’ in city policies and strategies.

Carlisle Plan (Carlisle City Council) The city has built on its established economic importance and encouraged the development of food processing, engineering and logistics sectors.

Carlisle Plan on a page See: Priorities and Healthy City Programme under key actions/project – Carlisle Plan 2015-18: Plan on a Page November 2016 – March 2018
Further develop sports, arts and cultural facilities to support the health and wellbeing of our residents: Continue to support and develop the Food City Partnership: Local Healthy Eating Options; Carlisle Food

Cumbria Healthy Weight Declaration
Food Act!ve: Cumbria announces county-wide declaration on Healthy Weight
Cumbria County Council Public Health 5-19
PH 5-19 Pathways to support healthy weight with emphasis on education around healthy food choices.
From CUMBRIA MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN 2015 to 2030
8.5 In December 2009, Cumbria County Council and Natural England commissioned an analysis of the Bassenthwaite catchment area as a case study129 in the role of ecosystem services and green infrastructure in economic development, regeneration and growth in Cumbria. The results of the study are applicable to all of Cumbria’s rural communities, not just Bassenthwaite. For example, more effective relationships between tourism infrastructure and environmental projects could deliver higher value activity, such as quality hotels, shops, food and drink, and experiences that are capable of sustaining higher value employment. The economic challenge for landscape and biodiversity is to turn these assets into experiences that people want to take part in and spend money on.
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Initiative: ‘A Framework for Unlocking our Potential’
St Cuthbert’s Garden Village
Link to Carlisle City Council’s policies and documents HERE – Carlisle South
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
Across England’s 39 LEP areas, Cumbria has the second highest proportion of its population living in rural areas, the second highest proportion of adults working in agriculture and the second highest proportion working in the tourism sector.
Rural & visitor economy

Cumbria is one of the UK’s most popular destinations, providing accessible recreation and leisure resources, attracting over 41 million visitors per year and supporting 34,000 jobs. The county’s internationally-renowned visitor offer, coupled with strengths in the agri-food sector and food and drink provenance, has massive potential to grow and add value.

• • • • •

•

11

Cumbria LEP has produced a Rural and Visitor Economy Growth Plan, developed in consultation with its partners, representative organisations and rural businesses.It identifies ways to extend the ‘adventure’ experience, support events, enhance attractions and experiences linked to food, drink and culture, influence access into Cumbria and travel within the county, and maximise the benefits from emerging digital opportunities. Another key target is the application of new technology in agriculture, food production and rural specialist manufacturing sectors to encourage economic growth.

Making the dream a reality – The Tourism Strategy For Cumbria: 2008–2018

This strategy recognises that 16% of Total Expenditure relates to Food and Drink; and looks at ways tosupport local Food and Drink businesses.

THE TABLES BELOW LIST THE SORTS OF ACTIONS/OUTCOMES WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE UNDER EACH OF THE SIX KEY FOOD ISSUES:

KEY ISSUE 1: PROMOTING HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD TO THE PUBLIC

1

Healthy eating campaigns – such as breastfeeding, healthy weight, 5-a-day, Eatwell, cook from scratch, and sugar, salt and fat reduction – that aim to change public behaviour, particularly among hard to reach audiences, are being delivered.

1 point

1a

Yes

Summary of action/outcome: There is strict maximum limit of 500 words for each answer. Please do not exceed this.

Carlisle was designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City in 2008 and is currently one of 8 UK flagship Healthy Cities for Phase VI. This recognises a process and commitment to health improvement through the wider determinants of health. At the 2014 European WHO international conference Carlisle was commended for its work to date and presented with a Certificate of Gratitude for commitment. Building on this work we were invited to present on the work and development of Food Carlisle in 2015 to over 305 delegates. This session led to UK wide sign up of cities towards the Sustainable Food Cities agenda.

Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI): The most recent quarter showed a breastfeeding initiation rate for CIC (Cumberland Infirmary) were 62% of mums – meaning 62% of our mothers started breastfeeding within the first 48 hours after delivery.

Work started towards BFI across the whole North Cumbria Hospital Trust in 2015.
Stage 1 was awarded ‘Outstanding’ in 2016; this is around policies, guidelines, curriculums and project plans.

CIC was awarded stage 2 in November 2017. Hospital staff are interviewed on-site over two days by a team of UNICEF BFI assessors. During this visit 30 staff were interviewed; plus 3 Paediatricians– HCAs, Midwives, NNU nurses, and paediatric Consultants. All staff were delighted to pass, achieving overall 80% or higher. Across the Trust over 350 members of staff, of all grades, have undertaken this rigorous training.

Stage 3 looks at the care delivered to mothers and babies; the team revisit and talk to mothers to discuss the care they received, whether standards were implemented, experience of care when pregnant and newly delivered. Change and improvement has already being seen in the way care is delivered, resulting in increased numbers of visits breastfeeding mothers get, and following care pathway to ensure consistent care and advice across the Trust.

A food charter or equivalent that encapsulates the food ambitions/vision for your city/place has been developed and a range of organisations have pledged/committed to taking specific practical actions to help achieve those ambitions.

1 point

3a

Summary of action/outcome: There is strict maximum limit of 500 words for each answer. Please do not exceed this.

Food Charter

We began the “Food Carlisle” journey in late 2012, with an initial vibrant exploratory meeting with key stakeholders. In March

Yes/No

16

2013 – Carlisle Partnership, Carlisle College and Carlisle City Council held a free event to explore the ideas of developing Carlisle as a Sustainable Food City. The event as attended by over 80 people, including The Principal of Carlisle College, Leader of Carlisle City Council (who gave an inspiring speech on Carlisle’s Food history), Tom Andrews and many others. During the event, presentations were given on best practice and workshops explored various topics – which resulted in the language and terminology of the Charter.

The charter contains 5 key principles: A thriving local economy; Health and wellbeing for all; Environmental sustainability; Life- long learning, education and skills; and Building stronger, closer communities. Individuals and organisations are asked to support these by signing the Food Charter and following these examples to help make a difference in our area:
Individuals –

Try to support local, affordable, independent food retailers who sell fresh, seasonal and local food.

Cook fresh meals for yourself, family and friends.

Try growing your own food at home or on an allotment.

Get involved with one of our projectsBusinesses / Organisation –

Encourage people to take part in activities that further support the Food Charter.

Encourage your employees to cook, eat and enjoy healthy fresh food.

Procure and offer healthy sustainable food for employees, customers, patients and pupils.As a result of the event, registered interested names formed the steering group established in May 2013 and in August 2013 Carlisle was recognised as a founding member of the Sustainable Food City movement). Steering group members committed to various roles (as outlined in the partnership section at the start of the award and the constitution) and the development of projects and exploration of priority projects. As an outcome a number of positive projects around food have emerged within the City through the Charter themes. Including Fair Meals Direct (Meals on Wheels Cumbria) and the Local Healthy Options Awards.

In July 2014, Food Carlisle was featured at the Carlisle Partnership AGM, where we launched the Food Carlisle Food Charter and

video. To date there are 85 signatories; it continues to be actively promoted via a range of communication tools (social media, website, newsletters, events). Key signatories include included a mix of individuals, organisations, food producers and food businesses. For example: Lakeland Mues, Com-For-T and Cumberland Honey Mustard.

The Food Charter and aims are also supported in the councils priorities under the Healthy City Programme which can be found in the Carlisle Plan 2015-18: Plan on a Page which states that the City Council continues to support and develop the Food City

Public understanding of food, health and sustainability issues is being raised through a variety of communication tools including web sites, social media, magazines, film shows, radio and press pieces, talks and conferences.

1 point

5a

Summary of action/outcome: There is strict maximum limit of 500 words for each answer. Please do not exceed this.

Food Carlisle use a variety of communication tools to share information. We engage with local papers and media stations, utilise the diversity of backgrounds and outreach of our stakeholders and collaborate with partners; to both employ new technologies and engage with as much of the public as possible.

Local papers The Cumberland News and the News & Star regularly cover food and health related stories including in depth coverage of partnership projects. A good example is the recent work SUGAR SMART Carlisle (SSC) has been doing, benefiting from a breadth of coverage to help raise awareness. In the run up to the official launch, this hot topic has been the subject of heated debate; for example the SSC primary schools council in November 2017. Covered by ITV Border News, led by the Mayor of Carlisle and attended by the leader of Carlisle City Council and the portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing – twelve primary schools from across the district presented their case. Three of these schools later presented at the SSC Summit in January 2018.

SSC has also been featured on CFM Radio and That’s Cumbria, where the director of public health, and students from Newlaithes Infant School were interviewed on the subject.